Ben Stokes pleads not guilty in court case

England all-rounder Ben Stokes will head to Crown Court to contest his charge of affray after entering a plea of not guilty.

Arriving at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, Stokes appeared alongside Ryan Ali, 28, and Ryan Hale, 26, who both also pleaded not guilty to charges of affray.

The date in court came after an incident outside a Bristol nightclub last September where it is alleged a man suffered a fractured eye socket following an altercation.

Stokes was banned until the conclusion of Avon & Somerset Police’s investigation meaning he missed England’s Ashes tour of Australia.

With the ECB withdrawing the selection ban last month, Stokes is now eligible to travel to New Zealand to meet up with his England team-mates ahead of Friday’s T20 and possibly next Wednesday’s final.

Naming a date for Stokes’ Crown Court appearance, District Judge Simon Cooper told all three defendants: “I have decided that your trial will take place at the crown court at Bristol. The first hearing date will be March 12. You will be on bail.”

Recent Comments

Mike Brewer: I enjoyed this piece and anxieties which we all shared about BT taking on this mantle from Sky were short lived as the action unfolded. But you are right about the motormouth commentary, and the worst culprit was Ponting who seems to think that a barrage of overly complicated theories and explanations makes him look like the best captain Australia ever had, neither will ever be true. It was white noise and I longed for the incisive remark that Atherton obviously, and Botham at times surprisingly, casually drops in to punctuate proceedings.
You rightly highlighted deficiencies in Matt Smith's wardrobe. His lack of sartorial co-ordination made him appear scruffy, totally outshone by his ex-playing experts. A bit more Colville, and a little less Corbyn would be my advice to him.
As for the broadcaster there were too many deliveries shown just in the nick of time, or missed altogether... a cardinal sin.
Much like England I am hoping for improvements in Adelaide. View Post